Astronomy on the Midcourse Space Experiment

Session 51 - WIRE, MSX and the Cosmic Background.
Display session, Tuesday, January 14
Metropolitan Ballroom,

[51.02] Astronomy on the Midcourse Space Experiment

S. D. Price (Phillips Lab./GPOB), E. F. Tedesco (Mission Research Corp.), M. Cohen (U. California Radioastronomy Lab.), R. G. Walker (Jamieson Science and Eng., Inc.), R. C. Henry (JHU), M. Moshir (JPL), L. J. Paxton (JHU), F. C. Witteborn (NASA/Ames), M. P. Egan, R. F. Shipman (Phillips Lab./GPOB)

The Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX) carries a varied suite of sensors for imaging in the ultraviolet to the mid-infrared, hyperspectral imaging in the ultraviolet through visible and infrared spectroscopy with a Michelson interferometer. At comparable sensitivity to the Infrared Astronomy Satellite (IRAS) but with a 40 times smaller point response function, the MSX infrared radiometer is ideal for surveying specific large areas such as those in which IRAS was degraded by confusion or not covered at all.

Specific experiments include deep coverage within the Galactic plane, observations of zodiacal dust cloud, comets and asteroids in cometlike orbits, star forming regions, the Small and Large Magellanic Clouds. Initial results indicate that the astronomy objectives on this experiment will be achieved.

Program listing for Tuesday